Davis eyes Lisbon lift-off

23 February 2011 06:30

Steven Davis is hoping to kick-start his season against Sporting Lisbon tomorrow night after admitting he has not met his own high standards so far.

The midfielder has consistently been one of Rangers' strongest performers since his arrival at Ibrox but knows he has not managed to match the levels he reached in previous seasons this time around. With Rangers short on midfield options for Thursday's Europa League tie in Lisbon, 26-year-old Davis is now determined to return to his best.

"I haven't really hit the heights that I have done in previous years and I think there is definitely more to come from me," said Davis.

"I'm my own harshest critic at times and I always expect more from myself no matter how I play."

Steven Naismith and Jamie Ness have both been ruled out of the second leg through injury, while Kyle Hutton is still a doubt through illness after travelling with the rest of the squad this morning.

But, as far as Davis is concerned, it is not only the fit and available midfielders who need to step up.

He said: "The squad is quite small as it is and, with the injuries that we have, there is a little bit of an extra onus on everybody to step up and do better in the games that we have remaining.